Plenty of food for thought after AEK training camp in Poland
 

AEK Athens held a productive training camp in Poland, putting together the preparations for the UEFA Champions League qualifying rounds and the defence of their Super League title. AGONAsport looks at how the team performed.

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On July 7, AEK took on MKS Miedz Legnica in the first friendly encounter of the 2018/2019 pre-season, dropping a 0:1 defeat. For the majority of the game, the Kitrinomavri looked out of sorts, but the team came back into the match in the second half and wasted several inviting chances to get on terms. Giorgos Giakoumakis and Christos Almpanis contrived to fire wide with the goal practically at their mercy:
 

Last Friday, the team faced off against Cypriot Cup holders AEK Larnaca, stuttering to a 0:0 draw. To be truthful, it was a largely drab affair, and the Enosis were lucky not to lose as Larnaca smacked the crossbar in one of the worst misses you’ll see:
 

Let’s take a detailed look at how AEK’s players fared at the training camp and their prospects ahead of the 2018/2019 season:

GOALKEEPERS

Vasilis Barkas

Despite starting last season on the sidelines with a serious injury, the 24-year old impressed with superb performances towards the end of the campaign, helping AEK win the Super League. In Poland, Barkas competed in the friendly fixture against Cyprus’ AEK Larnaca, making a couple of comfortable saves in an uneventful 0:0 draw. He will expect to be the number one goalkeeper for the upcoming UEFA Champions League third qualifying round.

Panagiotis Tsintotas

At one stage of the 2017/2018 season, he was AEK’s starting shot stopper, although he spent more time on the bench when Barkas returned. The tall, commanding Tsintotas began the friendly against MKS Miedz Legnica, conceding the one goal in a 0:1 defeat as a low attempt from inside the penalty area fooled him. During the training camp in Poland, Tsintotas worked closely with the coaching staff improving his weaknesses.

Serafeim Giannikoglou

When signing for AEK from PAS Giannina a few weeks’ ago, Giannikoglou had an excellent understanding of his role with the Athenians. With Barkas and Tsintotas the top two goalkeepers at the club, he knows that he won’t receive much playing time, but he has accepted the coaches’ decision and displayed real effort at the Polish training camp. Giannikoglou played the final 26 minutes against Legnica without seeing the ball fly past him.

Panagiotis Ginis

Only 19 years of age, the youthful goalkeeper was taken by Marinos Ouzounidis to Poland with the aim of getting a feel for being with the senior side. Overall, it proved to be right decision by Ouzounidis, with Ginis training intensively with the other goaltenders while also putting in the work individually. A prospect for the future.

DEFENDERS

Michalis Bakakis

Bakakis, a revelation of the 2017/2018 Super League, was one of the few AEK players to perform well in the friendlies, especially against AEK Larnaca. In solid physical shape, Bakakis created plenty of problems for the Cypriots, charging forward and pulling off sharp tackles in defence. Ouzounidis will be hoping that Bakakis continues progressing.

Rodrigo Galo

At the moment, Michalis Bakakis has the advantage over Galo in the right-back position, but the 31-year old is at his best further forward. Last season, Galo made a large step in the right direction, becoming a key member of the AEK team at both ends of the pitch. The Brazilian offers Ouzounidis plenty of options.

Dmytro Chygrynskiy

Unfortunately for the Ukrainian, he picked up a slight injury in training, meaning he couldn’t participate in the game with AEK Larnaca. At full fitness, Chygrynskiy is one of the leading Super League defenders.

Uros Cosic

Cosic sat out the second half of the 2017/2018 season with injury, but he didn’t hold back at the camp, displaying full commitment. Naturally, he still requires time, however once Cosic gains rhythm he will make sure that AEK’s defence is watertight. Has Chygrynskiy, Vasilis Lampropoulos and Marios Oikonomou for competitors in central defence.

Vasilis Lampropoulos

Given that he’s better prepared for playing competitive matches, Vasilis Lampropoulos is likely to be in the starting 11 to play in the Champions League in August. At training sessions in Poland, Lampropoulos was eager to catch the eye of Ouzounidis, letting the boss know what he’s capable of. Made his debut with the Greek national team in a 0:2 friendly setback against Saudi Arabia this year.

Marios Oikonomou

Five years in Italy with Cagliari, Bologna, SPAL and Bari should have gifted 25-year old Oikonomou perfect knowledge of how to defend effectively. However, Oikonomou struggled in the game with AEK Larnaca, often too relaxed. Oikonomou needs to step up his game in the coming weeks.

Helder Lopes

Just like Bakakis and Galo, Portuguese left-back Helder Lopes is strong on the flanks, boasting the ability to swing in pinpoint crosses and beat opponents for raw pace. Eager for AEK to play attacking football under his leadership, manager Ouzounidis will give Lopes freedom on the left wing, allowing him to commit to attack. Lopes played against Legnica and AEK Larnaca in Kielce.

Niklas Hult

This will be the Swede’s maiden full season with the Kitrinomavri after arriving from Panathinaikos in the winter transfer window. Interestingly, Hult was the fastest AEK player in training, winning the speed exercises. It’s doubtful whether he will be first choice ahead of Lopes.

Giorgos Giannoutsos

Instead of playing in his natural position of left-back, Giannoutsos was used as a defensive midfielder by Ouzounidis. Will he stay there? To be honest, it was clear that Giannoutsos isn’t overly comfortable protecting the defence, but the youthful Greek is willing to be versatile. Giannoutsos was included in the list of 2018 Golden Boy candidates.

MIDFIELDERS

Andre Simoes

The 28-year old midfielder attracted interest from Valencia, but he decided to remain loyal to AEK, promising to stay with the Enosis for the 2018/2019 season in Greece. A born leader, Simoes controls the game in the middle of the park, protecting possession wonderfully. The transfer of Alef will allow Simoes to play in a slightly more advanced position and Ouzounidis is trying to push the Portuguese player closer to attacking areas.

Konstantinos Galanopoulos

Greece’s most talented young midfielder? Maybe. Ouzounidis is known to be a fan of Galanopoulos, but in training, he was witnessed reminding the 20-year old to remember his position on the pitch and not go ball chasing. Galanopoulos was regularly taken aside by the coaching staff to increase his tactical awareness.

Astrit Ajdarevic

This summer, Ajdarevic has constantly been linked with a move away from AEK, mentioned in rumours suggesting he will transfer to Hapoel Beer-Sheva. So far, he is still on AEK’s books, competing almost as a number 10 in the friendly games. To his credit, the Albanian international did himself justice in Poland, leaving Ouzounidis with positive impressions.

Erik Moran

Stuck in a similar situation to Ajdarevic, the future of Erik Moran at AEK is unknown. In a blow to his ambitions, Moran was forced off after 25 minutes of the game with AEK Larnaca on Friday, injured early in the first half. The coaches still haven’t made their mind up on Moran’s capabilities.

Viktor Klonaridis

To put it lightly, the 2017/2018 season was a complete nightmare for Viktor Klonaridis. Initially, the Greek/Belgian attacker was a part of Manolo Jimenez’s plans, but he rapidly dropped out of the team with dismal showings. Luckily for Klonaridis, Ouzounidis believes in him, willing to give him a second chance with the Greek champions. In the friendly games, he was short of confidence and failed to build up any traction.

Petros Mantalos

The title winning season was spoilt by a second anterior cruciate ligament injury for Mantalos. Thankfully, AEK’s inspirational 26-year old captain is back, ready to power the Enosis to the Champions League group stage. At this moment in time, the most important aspect is that Mantalos is 100% healthy, something which was evident against Legnica and AEK Larnaca. All of AEK’s creative play goes through Mantalos.

Christos Giousis

19-year old midfielder Giousis burst onto the scene in last season’s Greek Cup, bagging a brace in a dramatic 3:2 win over Kallithea away. Since then, he has played with AEK’s reserves, desperate to somehow break into the main roster. He was skillful in the friendly games in Poland.

Giannis-Fivos Botos

The 17-year old penned his first professional contract with AEK and was immediately summoned by Ouzounidis to the Polish training camp. Standing a mere 1.72 meters tall, Botos has a low centre of gravity, moving well with the ball and looking to create. Botos was handed game time in the matches with Legnica and AEK Larnaca.

FORWARDS

Marko Livaja

Alongside Mantalos, the intelligent Marko Livaja will be AEK’s go-to-guy in the new season. In the past, Livaja lacked discipline and was wasting his potential, but he transformed into a motivated, team player in Athens. The Croatian forward participated in the friendlies, briefly showing glimpses of his talent.

Anastasios Bakasetas

Bakasetas injected life into AEK against MKS Miedz Legnica, taking the initiative by pressing the defenders with intensity. The forward combines well with Mantalos and must start aiming his attempts on target with more regularity.

Giorgos Giakoumakis

A moment which personifies Giakoumakis’ fortunes at AEK is the opportunity he had against Legnica. Escaping the attentions of his marker, Giakoumakis was suddenly clean through, but his lob over the approaching goalkeeper sailed horribly off target. Still severely lacks conviction in front of goal.

Christos Almpanis

Newly signed striker Christos Almpanis trained with desire and showed all of the qualities which made AEK pinch him from Super League minnows Apollon Smyrnis. According to reports, AEK are close to signing Argentinian forwards Lucas Boye and Ezequiel Ponce, but Almpanis won’t be content with keeping the bench warm.
 

by Shaun Nicolaides

Image Source: sdna.gr

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